Videos
BIG DRUM: Taiko in the United States features America’s taiko pioneers and documents, through interviews and rare film and video footage, the ongoing transformation of this dynamic performing art.
Produced by Akira Boch, Sojin Kim, Masaki Miyagawa, Ann Kaneko
25 minutes
Watch more videos produced for the exhibition. WATCH NOW
Photo Gallery
Historical and contemporary photographs that reflect the history and development of taiko in the United States. Plus, we’ve added bonus photo galleries—taiko drummaking and photographs from various exhibition-related public programs and events.
Explore the slideshows below!
Early Groups—The first three American taiko groups were formed in the state of California.
Seiichi Tanaka, Cherry Blossom Festival, San Francisco, 1969. San Francisco Taiko Dojo, the first kumi daiko group in the United States, was founded by Seiichi Tanaka in 1968.
Gift of San Francisco Taiko Dojo (2005.97.2)
San Francisco Taiko Dojo, Nisei Week Parade, Los Angeles, 1971.
Photograph by Gary Ono. Gift of San Francisco Taiko Dojo (2005.97.1).
Seiichi Tanaka and Nosuke Akiyama. San Francisco Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, 1979.
Photo courtesy of San Francisco Taiko Dojo.
George Abe, Kinnara Taiko. Los Angeles, ca. 1976.
Photo courtesy of Kinnara Taiko, Senshin Buddhist Temple.
Kinnara Taiko, Senshin Buddhist Temple, Los Angeles, 1978. Kinnara Taiko was founded by Reverend Masao Kodani and George Abe at Senshin Buddhist Temple in Los Angeles.
Gift of Kinnara Taiko (2005.94.1)
San Jose Taiko, 1977. Photograph by Jim Nagareda. San Jose Taiko was founded by Reverend Hiroshi Abiko, Dean Miyakusu, and Roy Hirabayashi at the San Jose Buddhist Temple.
Collection of Jim Nagareda.
Morgan Taiko, Los Angeles, 1976. Stanley Morgan was probably the first non-Japanese American to establish a taiko group.
Gift of Stanley Morgan.
Denver Taiko, 1977. Denver Taiko, the first group to be formed outside of California, was founded at the Tri-State Denver Buddhist Temple.
Collection of Joyce Nakata-Kim.
Etsuo Hongo of Los Angeles Matsuri Taiko, Los Angeles, ca. 1978. Los Angeles Matsuri Taiko was founded by Etsuo Hongo in 1977.
Collection of Etsuo Hongo.
Soh Daiko, New York City, 1983. Photograph by George Pereda. Soh Daiko, the first group formed on the East Coast, was founded at the New York Buddhist Temple in 1979.
Gift of Alan and Merle Okada (2005.54.4).
Mark Miyoshi, Mt. Shasta, 1982. Mark Miyoshi became the first professional taiko maker in the United States after he moves to Mt. Shasta, California, from Denver, Colorado.
Collection of Jeanne Mercer and Russel Baba.
Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko Group, Ginza Holiday Festival, Chicago, 1987. The Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko group, the first to be formed in the region, was founded in 1977 at the Midwest Buddhist Temple in Chicago, Illinois.
Collection of Reverend Ron and Elaine Miyamura.
Expansion of Taiko—The 1990s was an incredible time of growth for taiko in the Americas.
Members of the Japanese group Ondekoza during their performance in Los Angeles, 1978.
Photo by Georg Kochi. Gift of Kinnara Taiko (2005.94.1).
Jeanne Mercer and Russel Baba founded Shasta Taiko in 1984 after moving to the area from San Francisco. Both began their taiko careers playing with San Francisco Taiko Dojo in the early 1970s.
Collection of Jeanne Mercer and Russel Baba.
Kokyo Taiko was established at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago in 1987.
Photograph by and courtesy of Alice Murata.
Kenny Endo, 1978. In 1987, Kenny Endo became the first non-Japanese national to receive a natori (stage name and master’s rank) in hogaku hayashi (classical Japanese drumming). Kenny, born and raised in Southern California, learned to play taiko with Kinnara Taiko and San Francisco Taiko Dojo.
1978
San Jose Taiko performs at celebration of National Council for Redress and Reparations, 1988.
Photograph by Janice Yen. Gift of Janice Yen (2005.55.4).
Six taiko groups at the Molokai obon, 1999 (Kona Daifukuji Taiko, Zenshin Daiko, Maui Taiko, Ryusei Taiko, Hawaii Matsuri Taiko, and Sacramento Taiko Dan).
Photo courtesy of Hawaii Matsuri Taiko.
Shasta Taiko, 1986.
Collection of Jeanne Mercer and Russel Baba (2005.47.4).
Kinnara Taiko. Los Angeles, ca. 1990.
Photo courtesy of Kinnara Taiko, Senshin Buddhist Temple.
Soh Daiko and Kodo members, New York, 1987.
Gift of Alan and Merle Okada (2005.54.6).
Soh Daiko. New York City, ca. 1997.
Photo by Michael Dames, courtesy of Soh Daiko.
Contemporary Taiko—Taiko today has evolved into a truly multicultural art form with diverse influences and audiences.
Seiichi Tanaka. San Francisco Taiko Dojo, 2004.
Photo courtesy of San Francisco Taiko Dojo.
San Jose Taiko. Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival, 2001.
Photo by Johanna Carson, courtesy of San Jose Taiko.
San Francisco Taiko Dojo, San Jose Taiko, Kinnara Taiko, Japan America Theater, Los Angeles, 2003.
Photograph by Edward Ikuta. Courtesy of Kinnara Taiko.
Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble, Honolulu, Hawai'i, 2005.
Zenshuji Zendeko. Los Angeles, 2004.
Photo by Richard Murakami, courtesy of Zenshuji Zendeko.
Denver Taiko. Denver, Colorado, 2004.
Watase Media Arts Center, Japanese American National Museum.
Hawaii Matsuri Taiko, Wahiawa, Hawai‘i, 2005.
Japanese American National Museum.
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Dharma School Taiko Group at the temple Obon, California, 2003.
Collection of Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Dharma School Taiko Group.
Ann Ishimaru, Portland Taiko, Oregon, 2003.
©Rich Iwasaki. Photography.
TAIKOPROJECT.
Photo by Edward Ikuta. Photography courtesy of TAIKOPROJECT.
On Ensemble, Los Angeles, California, 2002.
Photograph by Jan Seeger.
Kasuga Onigumi perform their tradition of Ondeko (demon drumming) in front of the Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, 2005. Their performances and workshops at the Fifth North American Taiko Conference were sponsored by Kodo Arts Sphere America.
Photograph by Motonobu Koizumi.
Chibi Taiko, Nikkei Heritage Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, 2003.
Photograph by John Endo Greenaway.
Kitsune Taiko at the Higashi Honganji Temple Obon, Los Angeles, California, 2004.
Photograph by Bryan Yamami. Collection of Bryan Yamami.
Taiko Drummaking—Images which document the drum-making process from many different taiko groups.
Barrels to be converted into taiko by Stanford Taiko members, 2004.
Photo courtesy of Stanford Taiko.
Disassembled barrel staves, 2004.
Photo courtesy of Stanford Taiko.
Dr. Roy Ebihara of Icho Daiko reconnecting barrel staves, Cleveland, Ohio, ca. 2003.
Photo courtesy of Icho Daiko.
Mark Miyoshi carves inside of drum to improve its resonance, Mt. Shasta, California, ca. 2000.
Photo courtesy of Mark Miyoshi.
Tatsumaki Taiko members reinforcing the rim of the barrel, Berkeley, California, ca. 2000.
Photo courtesy of Tatsumaki Taiko.
Judi Murakami of Taiko Kaua`i sanding the the drum body, Waimea, Hawai`i, ca. 2003.
Icho Daiko members sanding drum bodies, Cleveland, Ohio, 2003.
Photo courtesy of Icho Daiko.
Ray Arifuku of Clovis Heiwa Taiko staining the wood of a small taiko, Parlier, California, 1999.
Photo courtesy of Ray Arifuku.
Newly varnished drum bodies and completed taiko by Kishin Daiko, Walnut, California, ca. 2005.
Photo courtesy of Kishin Daiko.
Zenshin Daiko members Bill Uemura, Valerie Jones, and Tony Jones remove the hair from a fresh cowhide that will be used for their 5-foot-diameter hira-daiko, Kula, Hawai`i, 2004.
Photo courtesy of Zenshin Daiko.
Stanford Taiko preparing the skin and sanding a barrel at a workshop with Zenshin Daiko, Kula, Hawai`i, 2004.
Photo courtesy of Stanford Taiko.
Hawaii Matsuri Taiko members size the skin for their taiko. Wahiawa, Hawai`i, ca. 2000.
Photo courtesy of Faye Komagata and Hawaii Matsuri Taiko.
Three Icho Daiko members prepare the skin for stretching
Photo courtesy of Icho Daiko.
Taiko stretching rig constructed by Stanley Morgan of Mogan Daiko, Tucson, Arizona, ca. 2000.
Photo courtesy of Stanley Morgan.
Burlington Taiko members preparing hydraulic jacks on their stretching rig, Burlington, Vermont, 1994.
Photo courtesy of Burlington Taiko.
Hinode Taiko members placing their skin on the taiko body for stretching, Winnipeg, Canada.
Photo courtesy of Pam Okano and Hinode Taiko.
Stanford Taiko members lacing the rope around dowels in preparation for stretching their drum head during a drum-making workshop with Zenshin Daiko, Kula, Hawai`i, 2004.
Stanford Taiko members lacing the rope around dowels in preparation for stretching their drum head during a drum-making workshop with Zenshin Daiko, Kula, Hawai`i, 2004.
Alyssa Yoshida standing with the Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Dharma School Taiko stretching rig, Palo Alto, California, 1995.
Photo courtesy of Pam Murotsune.
Katari Taiko members preparing to stretch their drum head, Vancover, Canada, ca. 1980.
Photo courtesy of Katari Taiko.
Chibi Taiko members adjusting tension of their stretching rig, Vancouver, Canada, 1997.
Photo courtesy of Chibi Taiko.
Hikari Taiko member tightening the tension of the stretching rig, Cerritos, California, ca. 1995.
Photo courtesy of Mary Jane Mayeda and Hikari Taiko.
Nen Daiko member checking the tension of the stretching rig, Fairfax Station, Virginia, ca. 2005.
Photo courtesy of Nen Daiko.
Bombu Taiko members tightening the tension of their stretching rig, Los Angeles, California, 2003.
Photo courtesy of Bombu Taiko.
Hinode Taiko members tightening the tension on their drum head, Winnipeg, Canada, 1983.
Photo courtesy of Pam Okano and Hinode Taiko.
Tatsumaki Taiko stretching rig and taiko, Berkeley, California, ca. 2000.
Photo courtesy of Tatsumaki Taiko.
Taiko Center of the Pacific student testing the tension on a taiko that is being reskinned, Honolulu, Hawai`i, ca. 2003.
Photo courtesy of Taiko Center of the Pacific.
Hikari Taiko member tacking newly stretched drum head, Cerritos, California, ca. 1995.
Photo courtesy of Mary Jane Mayeda and Hikari Taiko.
Burlington Taiko members Stuart Paton, Chuck Soul, and Jared Soul tacking the head of their new taiko.
Courtesy of Burlington Taiko.
Johnny Mori of Kinnara Taiko trimming the excess skin off of a newly skinned taiko, Los Angeles, California, ca. 1993.
Photo courtesy of Kevin Higa.
Big Drum Public Program—Photographs from the Big Drum: Taiko in the United States exhibition opening and others
Kenny Endo performing at Big Drum: Taiko in the United States exhibition opening, July 13, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Taiko For Families, a hands-on taiko experience for the whole family featuring Hydaiko, October 1, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Lesley Handa of Hydaiko provides a demonstration at Taiko For Families, October 1, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Taiko For Families, October 1, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Taiko For Families, October 1, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Yoko Fujimoto of KODO, Nobuko Miyamoto of Great Leap, PJ Hirabayashi of San Jose Taiko, and Bombu Taiko members at the National Museum for a special presentation of Triangle Project: Journey of the Dandelion, October 16, 2005.
David Gonzalez and Heidi Varian perform at an event that highlighted the contributions of Seiichi Tanaka. Two projects were presented: The Way of Taiko written by Heidi Varian, and The Spirit of Taiko, a documentary by Gayle Yamada, Steve Dung, and Dianne Fukami. November 5, 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.
Heidi Varian performs at an event where she also discussed her new book, The Way of Taiko, November 5, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
David Gonzalez and Heidi Varian perform at a film screening and book signing of projects celebrating Seiichi Tanaka, November 5, 2005. .
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada
The Spirit of Taiko was screened at the program. Filmmakers Gayle Yamada and Steve Dung answered audience questions, November 5, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Chris Reid, master percussionist and founder of Bang-A-Drum led a workshop that allowed kids to use instruments and learn songs from all corners of the globe, November 19, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Participants of the Multicultural Drumming Workshop for Kids played percussive instruments from around the world, November 19, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Participants of the Multicultural Drumming Workshop for Kids led by Chris Reid, owner of Bang-A-Drum, play percussive instruments from around the world, November 19, 2005.
Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
Taiko at Noon Program Series Photos
Kinnara Taiko's George Abe performing at Taiko @ Noon program, August 3, 2005.
Kinnara Taiko's George Abe performing at Taiko @ Noon program, August 3, 2005.
Audience members playing reeds at George Abe's Taiko @ Noon demonstration, August 3, 2005.
On Ensemble's Shoji Kameda and Chris Bergstrom leading audience in taiko demonstration at Taiko @ Noon program, August 17, 2005.
On Ensemble's Yuta Kato, Shoji Kameda, and Chris Bergstrom performing at Taiko @ Noon program, August 17, 2005.
Johnny Mori of Kinnara Taiko performing at Taiko @ Noon program, September 7, 2005.
Johnny Mori demonstrating the bin sasara at Taiko @ Noon program, September 7, 2005.
Audience participating in Taiko @ Noon program, September 7, 2005.
1st and Central Summer Concert Series—Program Photos
Masaki Miyagawa spinning a set before the Kinnara Taiko performance, First and Central Summer Concert series, July 28, 2005.
Masaki Miyagawa spinning a set before the Kinnara Taiko performance, First and Central Summer Concert series, July 28, 2005.
Kyaw Kyaw Naing playing the pat waing, or Burmese circle drum, during Of Melodies Old: New Music from the APPEX Ensemble, part of the First and Central Summer Concert series, September 29, 2005. Photograph by Nobuyuki Okada.
The APPEX Ensemble's I Dewa Putu Berata and Abhijit Banerjee. The performance was presented in conjunction with the 2005 World Festival of Sacred Music - Los Angeles, September 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.
APPEX Ensemble featured a group of internationally acclaimed musicians, including Kenny Endo. September 29, 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.
Emiko Susilo in an improvised Balinese dance during the APPEX Ensemble concert, part of the First and Central Summer Concert series, September 29, 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.
A large audience fills the National Museum's Plaza as they watch the APPEX Ensemble perform, September 29, 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.
Kyaw Kyaw Naing demonstrating the Burmese circle drum, pat waing during the APPEX Ensemble concert, September 29, 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.
Kyaw Kyaw Naing demonstrating the Burmese circle drum, pat waing, September 29, 2005.
Photograph by Gary Ono.